Social Security application confusion - selecting start month when turning 65 in June

It depends on what you want. Social Security benefits are paid for the previous month, so if you select June as your start month, you'd receive that payment in July. If you select July, you'd get that payment in August. Just be aware that if you're not at your Full Retirement Age (FRA) yet, starting at 65 means you're taking benefits early with a permanent reduction. Most people born after 1960 have an FRA of 67, not 65.

my mom just did this last yr and she put the month AFTER her bday cause thats what the lady at ssa told her when she called

The confusion is understandable. Here's the technical explanation: Social Security benefits are paid in the month following the month for which they are due. Your first benefit would be for the first full month you're eligible. If your birthday is on the 28th of June, you would not be eligible for a benefit for June because you weren't 65 for the entire month. So in your case, July would typically be the first month you'd be eligible for benefits, which would be paid in August. However, be aware that 65 is not Full Retirement Age (FRA) for Social Security retirement benefits anymore. Depending on your birth year, your FRA is likely between 66 and 67. Taking benefits at 65 means you're taking them early, which results in a permanent reduction. Also, if you're still working, the earnings test may apply until you reach FRA, potentially reducing your benefits if you earn above certain thresholds.

If you were born in 1960 or later, taking benefits at 65 means you're taking them 24 months before your FRA of 67. This results in approximately a 13.3% permanent reduction in your monthly benefit amount. For example, if your benefit at FRA would be $2,000, taking it at 65 would reduce it to about $1,734 per month for life. Also important: Medicare eligibility still starts at 65, but that's separate from your Social Security retirement benefits. You can enroll in Medicare at 65 even if you delay your Social Security benefits until later.

I just went thru this EXACT same situation!!! It was SO FRUSTRATING trying to figure out and no one at SSA would answer the phone!!!! I ended up putting July (month after my birthday) because my bday was on the 15th. But I had to call them like 50 times before I got someone to confirm this was right. The whole system is BROKEN!!!!!

wait a sec, turning 65 has nothing to do with ss retirement! that's just for medicare. your ss full retirement age depends on when u were born. my sister took hers at 62 and got way less than waiting would have given her.

My husband did his online application last year and got so confused he just gave up and went to the local office. waited 2 hours but at least got it right the first time!